Time to drop the “justs.” And that’s just one of 8 speech patterns I see women using all the time that really undermine themselves. And yes, I use them too. All 8. But because I’m aware of them, I use them less and less each year.

I outline those 8 ways I keep hearing women — myself included — undermining ourselves with their our words here, in my latest article at Huffington Post. I’m delighted that today it’s being featured on the Women’s Career and Money page.

Please come on over and read, comment and share the article with others.

Thank you for this article. I use many of the speech patterns you described. What’s interesting is that I started using them because I’ve been told over my entire career that I’m too direct and had to soften my language. Of course, the affect of softening my language lessened any perceived authority.